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Multiple Functions for Field Monitoring
Onboard monitors are a necessity in today's workplace. Especially with the popularity of HDSLR cameras, whose small LCD screens make the already difficult challenge of focusing nearly impossible; having a high-resolution; larger screen on which to judge your image is of paramount importance.
I've spent some time with one of ikan's newer models, the ikan D7, a 7" HD-SDI 1280 ? 800 LCD monitor with a cavalcade of features.
Pulling the D7 out of the box, it has a great feel. It's sturdy, with solid construction. It weighs in at 9.5 oz. Its 7" form factor may sound small, but it feels huge when you put it on top of an HDSLR It's the perfect size for an onboard monitor- large enough to really see and judge an image but small enough to keep the weight down.
The first great feature of the D7 is its dual inputboth HDMI and 3G HD-SDI. In addition, both inputs have loop-through options to feed out to an external recorder or an additional monitor. Unfortunately there's no conversion in the monitor. You can't take HDMI in to SDI output or vice versa.
The standard l/4"-20 threaded socket in the base of the monitor (mislabeled in the quick start guide as a l/2"-20) is augmented with three more mounting points with l/4"-20 threaded sockets on each side and the top, meaning that you can mount the monitor from any of its four sides.
The contrast ratio is a little low at 800:1, which made me wary about using this monitor for exposure judgments, but that hesitation was allayed when I saw all the features the D7 offers, including peaking and pixel-to-pixel mapping for focus and false color and clip guides for exposure. I haven't seen another onboard monitor with this many features and options.
Starting with the absolute prerequisite, the D7 has a "check field" function, which gives the user the blue-only option that is necessary to calibrate the monitor. It also has a green-only, red-only and monochrome (black and white) check function, should you require them.
Throughout this product evaluation it was my experience that ikan takes each option/function to the nth degree, giving the user not just one choice but pretty...